For millions of people, the day does not feel complete without a hot cup of tea or coffee. However, when a drink is consumed at an extremely high temperature, regularly repeating this habit may not be good for the esophagus—the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

Research has suggested an association between regularly drinking very hot beverages and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Importantly, the concern is not limited to tea or coffee. Temperature appears to be the key issue, meaning other beverages consumed while extremely hot could potentially pose a similar risk.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, has classified drinking very hot beverages above 65°C as "probably carcinogenic to humans." The agency has also made clear that the evidence relates primarily to the temperature at which drinks are consumed rather than tea or coffee themselves.

Why Can Extremely Hot Drinks Be a Concern?

The esophagus has a delicate inner lining. When a person repeatedly drinks liquids at very high temperatures, heat can irritate or injure this tissue.

Researchers have proposed that repeated thermal injury followed by cycles of tissue repair could potentially contribute to biological changes associated with cancer development over a long period.

This does not mean that accidentally taking a sip of very hot tea will cause cancer.

The concern relates to a repeated, long-term habit of consuming beverages at extremely high temperatures.

Is 65°C an Important Temperature?

The 65°C figure frequently mentioned in discussions about hot beverages comes from the IARC's assessment.

IARC defines beverages consumed at temperatures above 65°C as "very hot." Its evaluation found limited evidence in humans linking the consumption of very hot beverages with esophageal cancer.

Therefore, allowing a freshly prepared drink to cool before consuming it is a simple precaution.

There is no universal number of minutes that everyone must wait. Cooling speed can depend on several factors, including the initial temperature of the beverage, quantity, cup material and surrounding temperature.

It Is Not Just About Tea or Coffee

One of the most important points is that the potential concern is heat rather than a specific beverage.

Research that contributed to the IARC assessment included studies involving traditional drinks such as mate, as well as tea and other hot beverages consumed in different parts of the world.

Therefore, describing the issue as "tea causes cancer" or "coffee causes cancer" would be inaccurate.

A more appropriate interpretation is that frequently consuming any beverage at a very high temperature may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

What Did the Large Study Find?

Large-scale research has continued to investigate the connection between hot drinks and cancer risk.

One major prospective study involving more than 900,000 participants examined associations between hot beverage consumption and esophageal cancer. Researchers looked at tea, coffee and other hot drinks while considering temperature-related drinking habits.

Such observational studies can identify associations, but they cannot automatically prove that one particular behaviour directly caused cancer in an individual.

This distinction is important because cancer development is influenced by many factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet, genetics, age and other health or lifestyle factors.

Does Drinking Hot Tea Directly Cause Cancer?

No. It would be misleading to conclude that drinking tea itself causes esophageal cancer.

The same caution applies to coffee.

The potential concern identified in research relates primarily to how hot the beverage is when it is consumed, particularly when very hot drinks are consumed repeatedly over a long period.

In fact, IARC previously concluded that coffee itself was not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans based on the evidence it reviewed. The separate classification concerning "very hot beverages" was based on temperature.

So someone does not need to stop drinking tea or coffee simply because of cancer fears.

Allowing the beverage to cool to a comfortable temperature is a more practical approach.

Why Repeated Heat Exposure May Matter

Scientists are still studying exactly how thermal injury could contribute to cancer risk.

One theory is that repeatedly exposing the esophageal lining to extreme heat can damage cells. The body then needs to repair that tissue.

If this process happens repeatedly for years, chronic injury and repair may create conditions that increase susceptibility to other cancer-causing factors.

However, the precise biological mechanism has not been completely established, and research in this area continues.

Simple Ways to Avoid Drinking Beverages Too Hot

You do not need complicated equipment to reduce unnecessary exposure to extreme heat.

Avoid drinking tea, coffee, milk or other beverages immediately after they are prepared if they are still extremely hot. Allow them to cool until they can be consumed comfortably without burning the tongue or mouth.

If the first sip feels painfully hot or burns your mouth, waiting longer is sensible.

People who have developed a habit of drinking beverages almost boiling hot can gradually change their routine by allowing drinks to cool before taking the first sip.

What Are the Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer?

It is equally important not to assume that common digestive symptoms automatically indicate cancer.

However, persistent or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Possible symptoms of esophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, chest discomfort or pain, worsening indigestion or heartburn, and persistent coughing or hoarseness.

Difficulty swallowing is particularly important because it may progressively worsen, with a person initially struggling with solid foods and later experiencing problems with softer foods or liquids.

These symptoms can also occur because of many non-cancerous conditions. Their presence does not mean someone has cancer, but persistent symptoms should not simply be ignored.

Other Risk Factors Matter Too

The temperature of beverages is only one potential factor associated with esophageal cancer.

Depending on the type of esophageal cancer, established risk factors can include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, chronic acid reflux and certain conditions affecting the esophagus.

This is why cancer risk should not be reduced to a single food or drink.

A person's overall health, lifestyle, medical history and exposure to recognised risk factors are far more informative than whether they occasionally drink a hot cup of tea.

Should You Stop Drinking Tea and Coffee?

For most people, the available evidence does not suggest that tea or coffee must be eliminated simply because they are normally served hot.

The practical message is much simpler: avoid repeatedly drinking beverages while they are extremely hot.

Allow freshly prepared tea, coffee, milk or other drinks to cool to a comfortable temperature before consuming them. This small change does not require giving up a favourite beverage and may reduce unnecessary thermal exposure to the esophagus.

The Bottom Line

Research does not establish that tea or coffee themselves directly cause esophageal cancer. Instead, evidence suggests that habitually drinking beverages at temperatures above about 65°C may be associated with an increased risk.

The possible explanation involves repeated heat-related injury to the lining of the esophagus, although scientists continue to study the exact mechanism.

So there is no reason to panic over an occasional hot drink. The sensible precaution is simply to avoid consuming beverages while they are scalding hot.

And if symptoms such as persistent difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, recurring chest discomfort or worsening digestive problems develop, seeking medical advice is more appropriate than trying to diagnose the cause at home.